In the shop today (instruments)

Subject: In the shop today
From: Rapparee
Date: 26 Dec 24 - 08:29 PM

So a couple days ago I pulled out the old trumpet (Conn, made in 1929) and blew a few notes. Yesternight, I took it out again to blow some Christmas carols. NOTHING! I oiled the valves, even disassembled the thing as much as I dared. Nothing; I thought it seemed clogged up. So today I took it down to the local music shop (yes, there are such things in Idaho which sell and service more than banjos) and they'll have their repairperson work it over.

I'd hate to have to replace it as I bought it in 1964.

I hope the repair guy, who seems honest and capable (I checked him out) can make it playable again. I'm not in the pro class, but I do enjoy tootling (as my wife calls it).

Subject: RE: In the shop today
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Dec 24 - 09:32 PM

Keeping vintage durable things in repair is a good practice, but it does cost money. Better to fix and keep using the existing instrument than have someone have to suffer in a brass mine to dig the materials for a new one!

I have a friend who played one of the tubas in his school days, then not for a long time. He took it up again a few years ago and in the process of re-learning and then searching for tuba-related activities to participate in, reconnected with an old girlfriend. Both had married others, had children, divorced, and both are musicians and now they're married with a happy blended family. I credit that entirely to the tuba. It doesn't hurt that his wife is a professional musician in one of the military (Navy) bands. So, pretty darned good.

Subject: RE: In the shop today
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Dec 24 - 05:25 AM

Are you sure you were blowing the right end? With mouth? Blowing, not sucking? Did you unplug it, wait 30 seconds, then try again? Where is the hamster? Were the valve heaters glowing? Did you have your false teeth in? Try popping in an aspirin and waiting a bit.

Subject: RE: In the shop today
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 27 Dec 24 - 05:43 AM

On a related (*ahem*) note, Darling Daughter plays the flute. One particular flute wouldn't play one specific note in the lower register, though the note an octave above sounded properly.* The flute was taken to Someone With Knowledge, who adjusted one screw with a small screwdriver, and lo, there was the missing note.

* For the mystified: Same fingering, just blow harder.

Subject: RE: In the shop today
From: Rapparee
Date: 27 Dec 24 - 08:42 PM

I just discovered it's a Conn Model 80A. I can't wait for it to come back, as all I have right now is an electric piano, a harmonica, an Irish whistle, a guitar, and a bugle.

I'm trying to learn to play them all at once.

(My mother insisted that her three sons learn brass or woodwind instruments because that would prevent our singing.)

Subject: RE: In the shop today
From: Rapparee
Date: 30 Dec 24 - 08:02 PM

Annnd...today I got a call from the tech. He's even going to resilver worn places! There is gold leaf on the bell and in places on the valves he will also restore.

It is NOT a Conn M80A -- it's a "very low serial number" M82A! Numbers and stuff are starting to appear when tarnish and 94 years of dirt and wear and tear have hidden. The M82A was made from 1919 to about 1935.

Subject: RE: In the shop today
From: Long Firm Freddie
Date: 04 Jan 25 - 06:43 AM

From Guest, 5.25am:

"Are you sure you were blowing the right end? With mouth? Blowing, not sucking?"

Jackson Jeffery Jackson shows how it's done on
Jazz Club

LFF

Subject: RE: In the shop today
From: gillymor
Date: 04 Jan 25 - 07:09 AM

I got my near 60 yr. old Martin D-18 back from the restorer guy last month and he reset the neck, scalloped the braces and installed a new nut and now it plays like butter and sounds like the proverbial Bluegrass Cannon. I was getting ready to give it to my grandson for his birthday but now I'm thinking he might be happier with a nice new Taylor.
Just kidding, but I was tempted to hang on to it.

Subject: RE: In the shop today
From: Pappy Fiddle
Date: 05 Jan 25 - 10:27 PM

Something I've noticed about musicians: seem to be a pretty light-hearted sort.

Subject: RE: In the shop today
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Jan 25 - 06:44 PM

I'm praying for you, gillymor.

Subject: RE: In the shop today
From: gillymor
Date: 07 Jan 25 - 06:53 PM

Thank you, GUEST. I shipped it off yesterday, thereby removing the temptation.